The Best of 2014: Best New Show

HTGAWM wins the award for Best New Show of 2014. The flashback/forward format of the first half immediately sucked audiences in as we all raced to figure out #WhoKilledSam. Viola Davis proved once again that she's a leading lady and the remaining ensemble all took moments to shine. It's gritty, sexy, and masterfully written. Of all the shows currently on hiatus, HTGAWM is the return I'm most anxiously awaiting. The first half was such a wild ride that I can't wait to see what Shonda has in store for us in the second.

Everything the Arrow showrunners learned through trial and error was applied to its spinoff to create a hit show for all ages. The Flash is just a rip-roaring good time with a strong cast and fun writing. Sure there are several "comics" shows on the air right now, but only The Flash truly embraces its comic book superhero origins. Berlanti, Kreisberg, and Johns have brought the pages of the comics to life on the small screen. I have no doubt this show will be on the air for a very long time!

Chicago P.D. has it all: drama, romance, suspense, and an incredibly talented cast to keep viewers tuning in each week.The chemistry between "will they/won't they" couple Lindsay and Halstead as well as secret couple Burgess and Ruzek is electrifying. The crossovers between P.D., Chicago Fire, and occasionally even Law and Order SVU are fun to watch and keep fans involved. Thanks to the quality of the writing and the superb acting, Chicago P.D. has become one of the best new shows of 2014.

I really didn't expect much from this show but now I look forward to it every Sunday. Tea Leoni hits the perfect balance between the strong, smart ex-CIA analyst turned Secretary of State who has to navigate politics, protocol and actual caring. She and Tim Daly have great chemistry and also make realistic parents. The supporting players (minus Bebe Neuwirth) are a little weak but as a whole it's been a bright spot this season.

I'm going to represent the Bravo contingent and vote Southern Charm as one of the best new shows in 2014. By no means is it getting an Emmy but Bravo needed to breathe some life into its lineup. Some of the housewives have become unwatchable and SC was a fun look at a new city and new cast!

Constantine wins me over every single week thanks to the wonderful combination of action, drama and comedy! It doesn't hurt that Matt Ryan is extremely easy to watch. Unfortunately, NBC has decided not to order past the initial 13 and that just makes me disappointed that more people didn't give this show the chance that it deserved.

In what is easily Jeffrey Tambor's most powerful role to date, he shines as Maura, who was born Mort and comes out as a transgender woman late in life. His three self indulgent adult children still have enough heart to make them endearing, particularly Gaby Hoffman as Ali whose journey with gender fluidity coincides with her father's. Judith Light also costars as Maura's ex-wife Shelly and added what's probably the best scene about mustard ever to be seen. There's about as many laughs as tears to be had by all. It is truly wonderful.

Dominic West and Ruth Wilson star as Noah and Allison, two people who fall in love and begin an affair, despite being married to other people. While the idea of cheating has been done to death, the separate Noah and Allison POV's and their unreliable narration add a fresh burst of poignancy. Rounding out the cast is Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson as Helen and Cole, the much maligned spouses. This show had everyone talking and for good reason.

Romantic comedies usually aren't my cup of tea, but somehow this one hits the sweet spot in it's realistic look at love and life in the modern age of internet dating. In her first leading TV role, Cristin Milioti charms her way through a modern-day fairytale framed through the narration of Katey Sagal. The show's look at love and dating in the modern age is supplemented by a looney workplace comedy (reminiscent of "Better off Ted") where boyfriend Ben Feldman works at an internet dating site.

Starring versatile comic actor Andy Daly, the satirical take on reality TV starred versatile comic actor Andy Daly as TV host Forrest MacNeil who would do anything for his audience. The show was full of tension, shock value, and hillarity as the viewer never had any idea where Forrest's careless escapades would lead. Jessica St. Clair and Megan Stevenson were great in supporting roles.

Faking It is what Awkward once was in it's early seasons. It's an honest and hilarious look at high school and at it's core are two female best friends, Amy and Karma, who fake a relationship to fit in at school. But things get a little crazy when one half of the duo realizes she likes her best friend a lot more than she thought. It's an intriguing premise that feels right at home on MTV and all the actors really bring it each week, particularly Rita Volk, who brings a warmth and realness to Amy as she struggles with her growing feelings towards Karma.

Before Forever even aired, potential viewers were comparing it to the canceled-too-soon New Amsterdam, a series with a similar immortal-man-in-New-York-investigates-crime premise. Unlike New Amsterdam, however, Forever seems to have found its footing as a utility player on ABC lineup, earning itself a full-season pickup while facing off against CBS's tough Tuesday lineup. Forever charms its way into the viewer's heard by leavening its rather heavy plot with a hearty dose of humor, particularly between Henry and Abraham's seemingly-unlikely father-son relationship.

True Detective was one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the year and for good reason. It featured stellar acting, rich dialogue, and solid storytelling that kept viewers engaged to the end. The directing was also incredible, especially the six minute long shot featured in episode four that had everyone talking. True to the miniseries format, season two will feature new actors and a new story, but it will be hard to top the brilliance of season one.

Chasing Life seemed like a strange fit for ABC Family at first, but it works. April Carver's journey as she fights leukemia is at times heartwarming, hilarious, and utterly heartbreaking. There's normally at least one tear inducing moment per episode. Italia Ricci is brilliant as April. The show wouldn't work if Ricci couldn't pull of portraying April as inspiring, strong, vulnerable, and lovable. There's a richness in the multitude of worlds that the show creates - April's life and romance at the office, her family life (Beth included), and her life involving people who are also battling cancer (hello, Leo!). Chasing Life has earned a well deserved place in our hearts.

The Last Ship had me hooked at the first episode. Eric Dane is the perfect hero, and he makes for an even better ship caption than a surgeon. Adam Baldwin and the rest of the cast are also fantastic in this suspenseful drama. The post-apocalyptic story of a virus outbreak is one that draws us in right away, the characters are ones we become deeply invested in. I can't wait for the second season!

The Librarians is still early in its first season, but I'm already in love with this fun show. It's lighthearted but still has plenty of action, and the cast is terrific. Oh, and for its holiday episode, it gave us perhaps the best version of Santa Claus I've ever seen. Here's hoping this show sticks around!

You're the Worst is a raunchy comedy with heart. When Jimmy and Gretchen meet, they're not exactly as their best, but they soon realize accepting each other for what they are instead of pretending is leading them into dangerous territory that they kind of like. Their best friends, Edgar and Lindsay, are far more than your average sidekick, although being a sidekick is the focus of one of Lindsay's storylines. Both hilarious and heart-wrenching, it's taking chances like no other comedy on TV right now.

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce seems like it will be cut and dry. Except by playing Lisa Edelstein's Abby character as sympathetic and without outright malice toward her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Jake (Paul Adelstein), we are treated to some really deep dramatic scenes between the two, as well as laugh out loud silliness. Abby's best friends are complex divorcees who may help to lead her down a darker path, but they're there for her every step of the way. This Bravo series is highly recommended.

MTV introduced us to the Wilson family. Cynthia Watros and Alexis Denisof play Elizabeth and David Wilson. They have a young son, a replacement as he calls himself, for the loss of one of their twin daughters, who was kidnapped at the age of 3. When she's found about 13 years later, her life and that of her family are thrust into complete turmoil. Kathryn Prescott is brilliant as a lost girl who doesn't believe she needed to be found and watching Watros struggle to love and accent who her daughter has become feels profound at times. Every character is played brilliantly and offers insight on love and identity. It's absolutely addictive.